33 Facts About Julian Bream

Julian Alexander Bream was an English classical guitarist and lutenist.

Julian Bream was born in Battersea, London, to Henry and Violet Jessie Julian Bream.

Julian Bream's father was a commercial artist and an amateur jazz guitarist, who was unable to read music but had a finely attuned ear and could play a lot of popular music.

Julian Bream's grandmother owned a pub in Battersea, and Bream spent much time there during his youth.

The young Julian Bream was impressed by the playing of Django Reinhardt; he later named his dog "Django".

Julian Bream played the piano and cello as a child and Reinhardt inspired Julian Bream to take up guitar.

Julian Bream began his lifelong association with the guitar by strumming along on his father's jazz guitar at an early age to dance music on the radio.

Julian Bream became frustrated with his lack of knowledge of jazz harmony, so read instruction books by Eddie Lang to teach himself.

On his 11th birthday, Julian Bream was given a small gut-strung Spanish guitar by his father.

Julian Bream became something of a child prodigy, at 12 winning a junior exhibition award for his piano playing, enabling him to study piano and composition at the Royal College of Music.

Julian Bream made his debut guitar recital at Cheltenham on 17 February 1947, aged 13; in 1951, he debuted at Wigmore Hall.

Julian Bream claimed Bream would find it difficult to earn a living unless he played jazz or something similarly modern.

Julian Bream played the guitar first, then the piano for his audition at the Royal College of Music, even though the guitar was not taught at the institution at the time.

Julian Bream brought along his guitar regardless as he played for late-night performances.

Julian Bream was originally drafted into the Pay Corps, but managed to sign up for the Royal Artillery Band after six months.

Julian Bream played part of a recital at the Wigmore Hall on the lute in 1952.

In 1963, Julian Bream performed for the Peabody Mason Concert series in Boston with the US debut of his Consort.

In 1984, Julian Bream seriously injured his right arm in a car accident.

Julian Bream participated in a recital and concerto performances of works by Toru Takemitsu at the Japan Festival in London with the London Symphony Orchestra.

In 1994 Julian Bream made debuts in both Turkey and Israel to great acclaim, and the following year played for the soundtrack to the Hollywood film Don Juan DeMarco.

Julian Bream's recitals were wide-ranging, including transcriptions from the 17th century, many pieces by Bach arranged for guitar, popular Spanish pieces, and contemporary music, for much of which he was the inspiration.

Julian Bream stated that he was influenced by the styles of Andres Segovia and Francisco Tarrega.

Julian Bream had some "sessions" with Segovia but did not actually study with him.

Segovia provided a personal endorsement and scholarship request to assist Julian Bream in taking further formal music studies.

Julian Bream's work showed that the guitar could be capably utilized in English, French, and German music.

Julian Bream's playing can be characterised as virtuosic and highly expressive, with an eye for details, and with strong use of contrasting timbres.

Julian Bream did not consistently hold his right-hand fingers at right angles to the strings, but used a less rigid hand position for tonal variety.

Julian Bream tried unsuccessfully to persuade the composer to write a composition for the lute and played a pavane by Dowland for him.

Julian Bream presented a series of four master-classes for guitarists on BBC TV.

Julian Bream took part in many collaborations, including work with Peter Pears on Elizabethan music for lute and voice, and three records of guitar duets with John Williams.

Julian Bream lived for over 40 years at Broad Oak House, a Georgian farmhouse in Semley, Wiltshire from 1966 until 2008.

Julian Bream was keen on the game of cricket and was a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club.

Julian Bream died on 14 August 2020, at his home at Donhead St Andrew, at the age of 87.